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Ireland?s U-20s open World Cup with 2-1 win over UAE

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

Brian Kerr?s former charges won their Group E opener, 2-1, in Al Ain to go into yesterday?s [Tuesday] match with Ivory Coast level on points with the hard-running West Africans, who beat Mexico by the same score.
The Irish lads complete their first-round schedule against Mexico this Friday, in a match to be televised live by the Spanish-language cable network Galavision (Ch. 53 in New York City) at 11:25 a.m.
Elliott, a 19-year-old who played schoolboy football for Belvedere and Stella Maris, was the difference against a technically sound Saudi side that held its own at the 12,000 capacity Sheikh Khalifa Stadium.
Playing on familiar territory, the Arabs went close through Osamah Al Harbi (5th) and Khalid Al Salamah (9th) before Elliott raced to the near post to sweep in a low center by winger Willo Flood (19th).
?I saw Willo?s run to the right, so I gambled and headed for the near post. His cross was superb and I just stuck it in the back of the net,? Elliott later recounted on FIFA?s website.
Cheered on by a large following, Saudi Arabia were undaunted and equalized in the 49th minute when Al Salamah found Eisa Al Mahyani lurking unmarked in the box.
The game seemed headed for a draw with 13 minutes left when Ireland forced a corner. As the ball came in, Elliott eluded his marker and headed in the winner.
Gerry Smith, Kerr?s successor as Irish youth coach, was ecstatic over his lads? first points in the 24-nation Under-20 tournament.
?The Saudis were very good, and caused us problems right up to the end,? hesaid. ?We tried to shut up shop after our first goal, but they found a way through. We then endured a bit of a sticky patch, and I?m delighted for my players that they managed to come through it. But believe me, the Saudis are far from out of it.?
Daniel Rom

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